Advanced Mathematics !

[ssglain]

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Read this thread: http://community.boredofstudies.org/...tics-usyd.html

Originally Posted by konkzz

Though, wouldn't MATH1901 and MATH1902 be similar to MATH1001 and MATH1002, with the Advanced units going in more depth ?

What I said in the above thread:
I've helped several friends who did normal level maths and from my experience, the normal and advanced subjects are almost identical in content, with the odd extra theorems or two that are only mentioned in advanced. However, there is a very obvious contrast in the level of mathematical rigour that is expected from both the students and the lecturers, even though the content is the same. For example, for the same theorem that is taught in both normal and advanced subjects, the advanced students are also taught the proof and are expected to be able to replicate or extend the methodologies of that proof in exams.

In general, in advanced level maths there's more focus on where ideas came from and why they are true than simply how to use them. That's definitely reflected in exam questions, where both normal and advanced students will be asked to apply some theorems or methods to do calculations, but advanced students will also be asked to do more proving and showing.

Originally Posted by konkzz

It says "withdrawn" on my enrolment variation for MATH1001 and MATH1002. Can't I just re-enrol in them if I decide to drop MATH1901 and MATH1902 after the 13th of March ?

The last day to add a unit is March 13, so yes, you can drop MATH1901/1902 and re-enrol in MATH1001/1002 before that date.

Lecturers or unit coordinators can also give you permission to drop down from advanced to normal after March 13. Last year a few people managed to get special permission as late as week 6. But I'd advise you not to gamble on that.

Originally Posted by konkzz

If I keep MATH1901 and MATH1902 and get at least a pass for each, can I pick up MATH1903 and MATH1905 in semester 2 ?

You need credit or better in MATH1001/1002 or MATH1901/1902 in first semester to do advanced level maths units in second semester.

[konkzz]

So, technically I have around 2 weeks to decide whether to drop MATH1901 and MATH1902 and pick up MATH1001 and MATH1002, without the hope of special permission ?

In your opinion, who should take Advanced Mathematics ?

What do you recommend in order to succeed in first year Advanced Mathematics ?

[jtyler]

A genuine interest.

[konkzz]

Hmmm, going through the past papers, everything looks freakin' hard ! O_O

I have a bad feeling about this. .

[Templar]

Originally Posted by konkzz

It says "withdrawn" on my enrolment variation for MATH1001 and MATH1002. Can't I just re-enrol in them if I decide to drop MATH1901 and MATH1902 after the 13th of March ?

Exactly that. It's withdrawn. You're out of that subject. So no, you can't just re-enrol after March 13th. Withdrawn is the same as you've never enrolled in that subject.

[konkzz]

Yikes, so I should decide after the first few lessons whether to keep it or not ?

Say, I decide to drop MATH1901 and MATH1902 on the 12th of March, can i enrol in MATH1001 and MATH1002 (and the former Advanced units) ONLINE on this day ?

[jtyler]

CONTACT THE SCHOOL. Im 95% sure there is a facility to change streams (between normal and advanced ONLY) independent of FlexSIS (the student admin software), at least up to the census date and probably beyond.

Everything looks hard before you've learnt any of it.

[Miss Winey]

you need to pass MATH1901 and MATH1902 before you can enrol in the second semester ones.
If you failed them.
it means they were probably too hard for you.

Lecturers will have course notes which you buy from KopyStop which is a place in broadway on mountain st.
they will tell you when lectures start
they cost around $25.
Tuts and solutions will be avaliable online over time

Sometimes tutors recommend a text book.
I suggest NOT getting this, unless you are struggling.
and even if you are, the books are avaliable in the library.

Most student get by with the course notes alone.

[iRX]

Originally Posted by ssglain

You need credit or better in MATH1001/1002 or MATH1901/1902 in first semester to do advanced level maths units in second semester.

Isn't it almost too easy to obtain a credit or better in the standard stream maths? Because studying @ uws last year I found it was fairly easy to obtain marks in the mid-90s for the discrete and statistics units (both correlate well with usyd's unit material for those subjects). I understand the standard streams are scaled down aggressively at usyd to make headroom for the advanced stream student marks.

I'm a little concerned as although I've enrolled for the advanced maths BS, if usyd's student calibre is way above that of uws' (as I'm sure it is), I may be nonetheless over my head due to severe scaling.

The opportunity to work on proofs and proving rather than "here are the formulae now apply them to these problems" is enticing, hence why I would like to stay in the advanced stream as long as I can manage keeping up with the truly gifted maths students there. I guess if the difficulty merely lies in the abstract nature of the material, it shouldn't be a problem (?).

[ssglain]

Originally Posted by iRX

Isn't it almost too easy to obtain a credit or better in the standard stream maths? Because studying @ uws last year I found it was fairly easy to obtain marks in the mid-90s for the discrete and statistics units (both correlate well with usyd's unit material for those subjects). I understand the standard streams are scaled down aggressively at usyd to make headroom for the advanced stream student marks.

I don't really know how exactly they do the scaling - maybe that should be a question left for someone who is involved in the marking (there are a few roaming around the forum). But I have heard people say that the scaling process ensures that a credit at normal level means the same as a credit at advanced level - myth?

Originally Posted by iRX

I'm a little concerned as although I've enrolled for the advanced maths BS, if usyd's student calibre is way above that of uws' (as I'm sure it is), I may be nonetheless over my head due to severe scaling.
The opportunity to work on proofs and proving rather than "here are the formulae now apply them to these problems" is enticing, hence why I would like to stay in the advanced stream as long as I can manage keeping up with the truly gifted maths students there. I guess if the difficulty merely lies in the abstract nature of the material, it shouldn't be a problem (?).

I really don't know how much difference there is in the standards between different unis, but one would sure hope it is no harder or easier to get a HD in the same subject area. If you were getting mid-90s then I'm sure you will just fine at USyd as long as you continue to apply yourself and put effort into the subjects you're studying.

[konkzz]

ssglain, did you use any textbooks for advanced mathematics ?

Also, do you think a pass in Advanced Mathematics is easy to achieve ?

[ssglain]

Originally Posted by konkzz

ssglain, did you use any textbooks for advanced mathematics ?

I didn't buy or use any of the books in the "recommended texts" list, if that's what you mean. I did make good use of the printed lecture notes from Kopystop though - I read everything, made my own notes based on the printed notes as well as the lectures, and I did all the tutorial exercise questions.

Originally Posted by konkzz

Also, do you think a pass in Advanced Mathematics is easy to achieve ?

I managed straight HDs for all my maths units in first year (I did advanced/special studies program) with Differential Calculus being my best subject at 97 - I won't say that I did it "effortlessly" because I did put in the appropriate amount of effort. If you are genuinely interested in maths and aim to apply yourself in the subject, then you should easily achieve more than just a pass in it.

[konkzz]

How much time did you put in a week for each math subject ?

Also, should I wait for the first lecture to get the course notes from kopystop or should I get it before the first lecture starts ? Would the lecturer recommend these notes ?

[jtyler]

Yes, pretty much everyone gets the course notes. For advanced the tutorial sheets are attached at the back.

[lil-angeliz]

OMG im in the exactly same position as you. So what does everyone recommend. I chose advance maths units to, and have done 4u maths in yr 12. But heard it is really hard.